Jupiterknight
Headphoneus Supremus
Quote:
Okay, well, my E6 arrived yesterday, and in my view, anyone who doesn't pick one of these up, especially someone who has never tried an amp, is missing out on an excellent entry level piece of gear. I had heard the E5, but was not very impressed (and they seemed to fail a lot too). But the E6 is an outstanding little amp, on par with more expensive amps, that's for sure. I have it hooked up to my iPod Classic via LOD and a Whiplash mini to mini cable, and then to my JH5s, and the sound is quite nice. The E6 gives the music a little more oomph and detail, but it's very neutral too, doesn't muck up the bass (I use it on the pink setting, whatever that is. Not much bass boost, could be one up from no boost. Not sure).
To me, it's just too cheap to pass up. Not saying it will supplant the also inexpensive JDS Labs CmoyBB v2.03, but it certainly is in the same ballpark in terms of using an amp to up the ante a bit when it comes to improving SQ. It's more than a volume booster, that's for sure, and a far cry from the FiiO E3 or even the E5. I owned the E7 once, but wasn't that impressed (sold it). I won't be selling the E6.
The only flaw for me is it's so small, it doesn't match well as a portable with the iPod Classic, and I don't amp the iPhone 4. The mini cable I use, which is high quality, is so short, it sort of doesn't work when I try to fold the cable back and connect the E6 via rubber band (for now) to the Classic. I have to lay them both flat on the table. I could use the OEM cable, I guess, but I want to try and have the best cable in play. Have to mess around and see how I can get the E6 to attach to the Classic, which is the only DAP I have with a LOD.
FiiO has impressed me with the E6, no doubt.
For a much better view of the E6, just read ClieOS' view on page one. He pretty much nails it.
X2. Very impressed by this "ultra" portable amp. I was very skeptical about this release, as a previous owner of E3/5, it has certainly taken me by surprise. I have owned other portable amps like the Arrow/ Ibasso T3/Headsix, but all sold them for various reasons, but I'll
keep this one.
I'm not indicating that it sounds or perform better than the amps I mentioned, but it's price/performance ratio is IMO almost unbeatable and an excellent and very affordable way for newcomers to try out an amp.
Don't expect it to drive expensive and/or hard to drive headphones very well, look elsewhere! But again, as a portable amp than can actually be used in the outside world with IEM's or portable headphones, it's more than worth it's admission price.